What is prayer?

St. Thérèse of Lisieux put it very simply, yet profoundly. She said, "for me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trail and joy."

Her definition makes so much sense if we think of prayer in terms of a child speaking to his father in all sincerity and love. We are children of our heavenly Father and he will always embrace us as such in when we speak to Him in prayer.

Is prayer necessary?

For Christian believers prayer is of the utmost importance. We cannot develop our spiritual life and grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ in a personal and intimate way if we neglect to spend time with Him in prayer. Indeed, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "prayer is a vital necessity.

Proof from the contrary is no less convincing: if we do not allow the Spirit to lead us, we fall back into the slavery of sin. How can the Holy Spirit be our life if our heart is far from him?" [CCC 2744]

The ability to overcome sinful inclinations and grow in holiness is possible only if we are close to God. Prayer helps us do this.

How can I pray?

In the Christian life, prayer is expressed in many ways. Some of these are through certain devotions which have developed in the course of the Church's history. These include praying the Rosary, adoring Jesus in Eucharist Adoration, praying the Divine Mercy chaplet, reading Scripture with Lectio Divina, offering prayers to one's patron saints and guardian angels, etc.

Numerous saints and doctors of the Church have bequeathed to future generations of Catholics many beautiful devotions and prayers for their spiritual benefit. We would do well to take advantage of their guidance and incorporate these devotions into our lives.

What is most recommended?

Although there are many devotions available, the Church has consistently taught that there are certain pillars upon which a person can rely entirely to build their sanctity. These pillars are two: devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St. John Bosco had a vision (in this case a prophecy) in which he saw the Church as a massive ship in turbulent and dangerous waters. The ship, piloted by the Holy Father, was attacked on all sides by her enemies. Indeed, at one point the pope was struck down and died. However, another pope was elected in his place and steered the Church to safety which lied ahead between two large pillars. On top of one pillar was the Sacred Host, and on top of the other was the Blessed Virgin. (You can read about this vision in Don Bosco's own words here.)

What's next?

You will find various foundational prayers and devotions linked on this page. Please take some time to get familiar with them. Then, by all means, begin to incorporate prayer into your daily life, taking special care to develop your relationship between our Eucharistic Lord and His mother!

Be who God created you to be, and you will set the world on fire! ~ St. Catherine of Siena